Kevin Pietersen played the ugliest innings of his international career yesterday but it must also rank as one of the most important.

There is bound to be criticism of him in some quarters for the way he played and questions asked about his place in the side - but not from me.

He is a valuable asset and should be appreciated for what he has achieved so far and what he is capable of producing in the future.

He is struggling for form and rhythm, with the trademark sweetly-timed shots to the boundary in short supply but huge credit to him for the way he battled through.

Dropped on numerous occasions and fortunate to be given not out when he spooned the ball to mid-off as the umpire called a dead ball, he rode his luck.

But the time he has now spent in the middle will prove invaluable.

Practice on the training ground is one way of finetuning and improving skills but you can't beat real match time when every decision taken has a consequence.

A clouded mind creates uncertainty and Pietersen looked unsure for parts of his innings as he was more concerned with where his head and feet were as opposed to watching the ball.

In full flow KP makes batting look incredibly easy but this innings proved that he also has the mental strength to cope when the going is tough.

This was not a batting display he will want to watch again but I would suggest to him that he keeps a copy to remind himself that he can't always play as he wants to.

On more than one occasion after a rash shot has brought about his dismissal, he has clearly stated: "Well, that's the way I play." He now knows that he can play differently!

The big positive he should take from this horror show is that when he is back to his best he must put a higher value on his wicket. If he does then he will be able to look back in retirement with a wry smile and appreciate how this struggle at Edgbaston helped.

England have been playing some very good cricket this summer but just how good is difficult to judge.

The first half of the season saw England easily beat Bangladesh, who are not genuine Test class, while what I've witnessed from Pakistan so far has been more like a pantomime. They have been nothing short of abysmal.

I do have certain sympathies for their bowlers, who have been impressive at times, while their captain, Salman Butt, has been unable to exert any pressure due to the inability of the majority of his players to perform the basic skills of the game.

The batting on day one was woeful, without a single player showing any ability to play the moving ball. There was no method in place and pure survival without trying to score runs is not the way to go.

To be bowled out for 72 having chosen to bat first is scandalous. That now means England are already in a position to go 2-0 up in the series.

The experienced Mohammad Yousuf should make a difference for the final two London Tests.

But it is too little too late from Pakistan. Only the weather can save them from further humiliation.